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Latin America’s Geographic Understandings © 2011Clairmont Press Locating Physical Features of Latin America 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Pacific Ocean Gulf of Mexico Caribbean Sea Sierra Madre Mountains Panama Canal Andes Mountains Atacama Desert Amazon River Pacific Ocean The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean in the world. It touches North America, South America, Asia, and Australia. It serves as the western border of Central and South America. Much of the coastline is a volcanic plate boundary called the “Ring of Fire.” It is a major component of international trade. Its currents greatly affect the climates of the region. It brings rain to some locations and drains the moisture away from others. Gulf of Mexico The Gulf of Mexico borders the states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas in the southern U.S. It borders the northeastern coast of Mexico, north of the Yucatan Peninsula. The Gulf of Mexico: is a gateway to the Mississippi River, the Caribbean Sea, and the Panama Canal. serves as a major tourist destination for Mexico. contains oil under its seabed, shrimp in its waters, and fish such as the famed blue marlin. The Gulf waters eventually move up the Gulf Stream and northeastward across the Atlantic bringing warmth and moisture to Europe. Link: Gulf of Mexico Caribbean Sea The Caribbean Sea may be best known for its “paradise” locations and beautiful islands. which draw millions of tourists each year. The region has struggled economically because of the lack of natural resources. The nations of the Caribbean depend upon travelling Europeans, Asians, and most of all North Americans. Major Caribbean island nations are Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and the American protectorate Puerto Rico. The larger group of islands are called the Greater Antilles and the smaller more southern group are called the Lesser Antilles. The clear waters of the Caribbean Sea Link: Caribbean Sea map Sierra Madre Mountains The Sierra Madre Mountains are actually a pair of ranges called the Occidental and Oriental ranges. The Sierra Madre Mountains are a semi-arid mountain range in the north and a more rainforest-like climate in the south. The Sierra Madre Mountains surround the city of Mexico City, Mexico. They were home to the early native cultures of the region. Image: Christian Frausto Bernal on WikiCommons Panama Canal Though the Panama Canal is a man-made physical feature, its importance cannot be understated. Construction of the canal was first attempted by the French but proved to be too costly in lives and money. The canal was later completed by the United States with the help of both Americans and the Panamanian people. The canal is controlled by the Panamanian government. Millions of goods every year travel the route connecting the Atlantic to the Pacific. Andes Mountains Rugged, extreme, and jagged; just a few of the adjectives used to describe the Andes Mountains. The Andes are a relatively youthful mountain range. They were created by the collision of the Pacific Plate and the South American Plate. The mountains are famed for their picturesque landscapes, barren stretches of land, and renown to climbers for their challenging climbs. The region of Patagonia is known to be one of the most extreme climate regions in the world. Machu Picchu in the Andes Mountains was a stronghold used by the Inca to escape the Spanish Conquistadors. Link: Machu Picchu photo Link: Patagonia map Atacama Desert The Atacama Desert borders the Pacific Ocean and stretches 600 miles along western Peru. The cool water current of the Pacific Ocean drives moisture northward from the southwestern location of South America to North America. This drains moisture from the Atacama region. The Atacama desert is home to over 1 million people and a temporary home for penguins! Link: “The Driest Place on Earth” Photo: Christian Van Der Henst from WikiCommons Amazon River The largest fresh water source on Earth, home to billions of species, and some of the most remote areas on Earth; the Amazon River is arguably the most recognizable and unique river in the world. The Amazon Rainforest surrounds the Amazon River and is a vital resource to South America. Link: Amazon River Link: Amazon River map Photo by Kozumel on Flikr